Summers Here!

We all look forward to the summer months with the warmer weather and lighter evenings. It should be a time for barbecues and fun, making the most of the fine British weather! Alas for some of us the summer can turn into a dark and dingy nightmare.

Burglars often take advantage of our lackadaisical attitude in the summer. We leave all our windows wide open, doors unlocked and open, even our vehicle’s windows and doors open. This invites the opportunist burglar to take this opportunity and steal from you. Frustratingly a huge amount of burglary is committed on homes that have been left insecure.

We understand that the summer’s months are hot and stuffy and it becomes a necessity to open up windows to air and cool your home. But do this with security in mind; don’t leave open doors unattended and windows wide open, for example when you are out the front of your house gardening, washing the car etc, ensure you have shut and locked the back door. Consider fitting window restrictors to ground floor windows and windows that are easily accessible. This will prevent someone climbing through but still allow fresh air in!

Quite simply, never leave open windows or doors unattended. If you have to leave the room for any period of time, close the window or engage the window restrictor & shut and lock the door.

Don’t tempt a burglar by leaving your valuable items on display. Items such as handbags, wallets, mobile phones, mp3 players and items that can be grabbed easily are desirable targets for the opportunist burglar. Move these items away from view, perhaps into a cupboard or drawer.

We want you to have a crime free enjoyable summer. So follow the checklist below to help improve your security.

Close windows and lock doors when you leave them unattended.

Consider using window restrictors to ground floor and easily accessible windows.

Remember when you are in the front / back garden lock and close the windows in the part of the house that is unoccupied.

Remove the temptation, by placing valuable items away in cupboards and drawers. Don’t’ leave them near to open windows or on the kitchen worktops next to an unlocked door.

Ensure your garden fences are of adequate height to prevent access and your gate shut and bolted/locked.

Remember to shut ground floor windows when you go to bed. If you have to leave windows open that are accessible, only open the small fan light sash and use a restrictor.

Apply similar principles to your sheds and garages, ensuring that they are adequately secured as well as the contents secured within them.

Gosport Police wish you a safe, secure and enjoyable crime free summer.